Van Halen – I’m The One Riff

The “I’m The One” riff by Van Halen is a masterclass in dynamic guitar playing, combining speed, precision, and attitude. At LickLibrary, we’ve broken down this iconic riff in a detailed, note-for-note guitar lesson designed to help players of all levels understand and internalise Eddie Van Halen’s groundbreaking techniques. This lesson is a fantastic opportunity for guitarists to improve their dexterity, rhythmic control, and overall command of hard rock guitar playing. With our expert tuition, you’ll not only learn the notes but also the mechanics, feel, and swagger that make this riff so legendary. Danny Gill breaks down this classic riff in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist

Eddie Van Halen, the lead guitarist and co-founder of Van Halen, is universally recognised as one of the most innovative and influential guitarists in rock history. Known for his pioneering use of two-handed tapping, inventive harmonics, and rhythmically intense riffs, Eddie changed the landscape of guitar playing in the late 70s and 80s. His tone, phrasing, and technical fluidity were unprecedented at the time, making him a figure of emulation for generations of guitarists. On “I’m The One,” Eddie combines his signature flash with blues-inspired phrasing and tight rhythm work, making it a prime example of his genre-defying style.

Guitar Techniques Covered in the Lesson

Alternate Picking

This riff makes heavy use of alternate picking, a fundamental technique that involves striking the strings with alternating down and up strokes. Learning this technique improves your picking hand efficiency, helps with speed and accuracy, and lays the groundwork for more advanced lead work.

Legato

Legato passages are scattered throughout the riff, where Eddie employs smooth hammer-ons and pull-offs to create a fluid, cascading sound. Legato helps develop finger strength and coordination, and gives your playing a polished, expressive character.

Palm Muting

A vital rhythmic element in “I’m The One” is palm muting, where the picking hand lightly rests on the strings near the bridge to dampen the sound. This creates a tight, percussive tone essential for articulating fast, chuggy sections. Practicing palm muting improves your rhythmic precision and adds dynamic range to your playing.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

Used extensively in Eddie’s phrasing, hammer-ons and pull-offs are essential for executing fast, fluid licks. These techniques reduce the reliance on picking every note, making runs sound smoother and allowing for greater speed with less effort.

Slides

Throughout the riff, slides are used to transition between positions with flair and efficiency. Slides are crucial for connecting ideas smoothly and adding a vocal-like expression to lead lines.

Trills

The quick-fire back-and-forth finger movements known as trills make appearances in the riff, showcasing Eddie’s speed and control. Mastering trills develops finger independence and stamina, both vital for advanced lead guitar playing.

String Bending

Eddie’s bluesy edge comes through with expressive string bending, allowing him to hit vocal-like pitches and infuse the riff with emotion. Practicing bending enhances your intonation, finger strength, and musical expressiveness.

Pinched Harmonics

Van Halen’s tone gets a screaming edge from pinched harmonics, where the thumb of the picking hand grazes the string right after the pick attack. This technique adds aggression and flair, and helps develop precision in pick control and hand coordination.

Tremolo Picking

Sections of the riff are driven by rapid-fire tremolo picking, a technique that builds stamina and right-hand speed while delivering intensity and momentum to a phrase.

Syncopated Rhythms

The riff’s groove is locked in by tight syncopated rhythms, where off-beat accents and staccato hits create infectious energy. This hones your timing, sense of groove, and rhythmic creativity.

Why This Lesson is Essential

This lesson not only dissects one of Van Halen’s most rhythmically challenging and technically diverse riffs, but also serves as a deep dive into the style of a guitar legend. By working through the lesson, guitarists will build confidence in their technique, improve timing, and understand how to inject character into their playing. Whether you're a fan of classic rock, hard rock, or just want to push your playing to the next level, “I’m The One” is a riff that delivers on all fronts.

Techniques Covered in This Lesson

• Alternate Picking
• Legato
• Palm Muting
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Slides
• Trills
• String Bending
• Pinched Harmonics
• Tremolo Picking
• Syncopated Rhythms